This is not the all-time American favorite JDM car but the name Subaru definitely deserves to receive a huge deal of respect. Subaru Forester first came on 1997 in Japan as a 5-door compact crossover SUV. It was based on the platform of the well-known model named Impreza and set of to be one of the best JDM crossovers ever, right off the bat.
Subaru was and still is one of the most successful brand names ever took part in World Rally Championship. The automotive brand is known to produce well-made high quality performance vehicles mostly armed with AWD system in production models.
The other trick up off Subaru’s sleeves was the wise use of Flat-4 engines also known as Boxer engines. The greatest advantage of using such an engine is first in its packaging size. Flat-4s are horizontally narrow but wider than standard Inline-4s. The physical shape helps the vehicle to have a slicker design up front reaching a better Coefficient of Drag in the process of better aerodynamics.
But probably the most important aspect of Flat-4s is that they reduce the total height of central gravity of the vehicle by a considerable margin, making the vehicle reach higher lateral G forces leading to tighter sportier handling. Improved handling is crucial and is most welcome in all vehicle segments specially performance vehicles and SUVS.
The fifth generation Subaru Forester wen on production back in 2018 forming five different trim levels including Base, Premium, Sport, Limited and Touring. Unfortunately for the first time in Subaru Forester’s history, this model is offered only with one engine and one transmission choice.
The engine in discussion is the FB25 DI Subaru Boxer 2,5L direct injection naturally aspirated rated at only 182 hp at 5800 rpm and 176 lb.ft at 4400 rpm, mated to a Lineartronic CVT. Although the vehicle weights about 3450 to 3590 pounds and has a towing capacity of 1500 pounds in all trim levels, but the engine outputs does not sounds so promising. Yet this engine give a good fuel consumption about 26 up to 33 miles to the gallon.
It would be even better if the engine was armed with a force induced system as in its previous generations because such fine crossover deserved to be more powerful.
The All-Wheel Drive system is called the Symmetrical AWD with a torque distribution of %60 front and %40 back, comes in three different setups and the trim level determines what system is installed.
The Base model comes with Variable Torque Distribution (VTD), controlling torque split through a series of electronically controlled clutches.
Premium trim comes with enhance “X-Mode” which is an enhancement of the VTD system to further control the wheel spinning and also incorporates the Hill Decent Control (HDC).
The three Sort, Limited and Touring trim levels come with “Dual Function X-Mode” system that enables users to engage specific settings for Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud modes.
Subaru Forester came along with various awards in its five generation lifetime. Forester was awarded as the “SUV of the Year” in 2009 and 2014 from Car and Driver magazine. It was also the Car Connection’s “Best Car to Buy” in 2014. Subaru Forester was also IIHS’s “Top Safety Pick”.
Subaru Forester is one compact, low emission, high mpg, quality daily crossover. There are plenty of room inside along with a notable handling and a high quality production process designed to last. Based on Subaru, 97% of Subaru Foresters produced in the past decade are still on the roads which reveals longevity and popularity of the model.
The Subaru Eye-Sight Drive Assist Technology is a safety feature from Subaru. IIHS gave this system the highest possible rating for front crash prevention as it was found in crash tests that the EyeSight reduces rear-end crashes with injuries by up to 85% which is noticeable.
Subaru Forester was the 20th best-selling vehicle of the first quarter of 2020. The retail price of Subaru Forester offered in USA starts at 24,495 USD for the Base trim and reaches up to 34,595 USD for the top Touring trim before any additional options are included.